Bead for ornamental wheel disks



Patented June 8,` 1937 UNITED sTArss earner orifice Application March 28,

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in an ornamental wheel disk and contact bead construction, andto a novel method of applying the contact bead to the disk or `a similar'` article.

In the manufacture of ornamental wheel disks for overlying the side surface of Vehicle wheels, it is desirable to provide suitable contact means for engagement with the wheel rim at the outer margin of the ornamental disk.` Economy, not only in the cost of the relative parts, but also in the simplicity of construction and ease of assembly, is an essential to this industry.` Of course, even while economy is maintained to the best possible extent, the effectiveness of the contact means between the ornamental disk and a portion of the wheel cannot be sacrificed. These contact means must be such as to eliminate rattling, vibration and noises of similar character which may occur between `the ornamental disk .and the wheel.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of this invention to provi-de a simple and inexpensive method of applying a contact bead to an ornamental wheel disk.

`Another object of this invention is theprovision of an ornamental wheel disk having a con` tact member associated therewith, which is readily and easily applied to the disk and as readily and easily removed for repair or substitution.

Still another object of `this invention is the provision of an ornamental wheel disk with a cushioning element for contact with a portion of a wheel associated with the disk in such a manner as to be rm and secure in position relatively to the disk an'dyet not directly secured to the disk.

In accordance with the general features of this invention, a contact element is provided, which may be in the form of a figure 8 in cross section with one of the loops of the 8 larger thanthe other. In the smaller loop a resilient spring wire or the equivalent is inserted and projects slightly beyond the ends of the cushioning element. The inner spring element causes the entire cushioning member, which is substantially `circular or preformed with unjoined ends, to tend to spread so as to enlargethe space between the ends of the member. The wheel ydisk is provided with a groove formation adjacent its outer edge, and this groove formation is also closed for a relatively short distance so `as not to entirely encircle the disk. One end of the cushion member is inserted in an end of the groove with the resilient element in contact with the groove ter- 1935,` Serial No. 13,402

mination. Holding this end in position in the groove, the cushioning member is gradually worked into the groove around the disk,` until the other end of the cushioning member is snapped into position. cushioning member, tending to expand the same, results in the cushioning member being'frmly held in the groove of the disk. Thus, the smaller loop of the cushion member is used to hold the member in position on the disk, leaving the larger loop exposed for cushioning Contact with a portion oi the wheel to which the disk isapplied.

Other objects and features of this invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accom- The resiliency of the i panying drawing which illustrates a single embodiment thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary Vertical sectional View, with parts in elevation, of a vehicle wheel equipped with an ornamental disk and cushioning means embodying the teachings ofthis invention;

` Figure 2 is a reduced inside elevational view of the disk and contact means alone, illustrating in dotted lines a method of applying the contact means to the disk in accordance with teachings of this invention;

Figure 3 is .an enlarged fragmentary View of the lower portion of the structure seen in Figure 2;

` Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line IV-IV of Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. As shown on the drawing:

,The illustrated embodiment of this invention is shown in connection with a standard vehicle wheel including a drop-center'wheel rim generally indicated by' reference numeral 5,"which wheel rim includes a base flange E, opposite intermediate flanges '1 -l, and'outer turned edges 8 8'. The rim 5 is connected by a double set of spokes 9 and lll to a central hub generally indicated by reference numeral l l. The hub construction ll includes the usual central ange l2 adapted to be secured by a plurality of bolts or tap screws I3 to a supporting member such as a vehicle part Ill, which part lli may be an axle part or a spare wheel mounting part. The hub construction l l includes an inwardly turned margin l5 defining a central opening normally closed by a conventional hub cap I6 snapped into engagement with the margin l5.

Disposed over the outer side surface of the wheel is an ornamental wheel disk generally indicated by reference numeral l1, which is preferably formed from relatively thin sheet material, such as sheet metal. The novel mechanical features of this disk other than the outer marginal portion thereof are being covered in a separate co-pending application for Letters Patent entitled Ornamental wheel disk, le'd December 8, 1984, Serial No. 756,569.

The disk Il is preferably transversely curved into convex shape and may be formed in any suitable way, such as by spinning or by die mechanism. 'I'he radial inner peripheral margin of the disk Il is bulged outwardly as at i8 to provide an ornamental construction, and the portion I8 at its innermost extremity defines a suitable aperture for engagement over the hub construction Il. Secured to the rear or inner face of the disk by any suitable means, such, for example, as by projection welding, are a plurality of spring elements I9 arranged in spaced relationship for engagement with the hub construction Il between the spokes 9. lach of the members i9 is provided with a slightly outwardly turned end 2G, thereby permitting easy positioning of the disk over the hub construction Il but resisting any tendency towards removal of the disk by biting engagement with the hub.

It will, of course, b-e appreciated that the disk Il may be attached to the wheel in a manner to permit removal of the disk, or in any other suitable manner, the construction shown being merely indicative of means for holding the disk upon the Wheel.

In accordance with the features of my present invention, the outer marginal portion of the disk is bent at an angle to the central convex body portion, as indicated at 2l, so that this portion 2i extends substantially radiallyin respect to the wheel, and forms what may be termed a decorative bead. The marginal edge of the bead 2| is rolled inwardly or underturned as at 22 to provide a substantially circumferential groove 23 (Fig. 4) adjacent the outer edge of the disk. This groove 23 is for the reception of the cushion o-r contact member to be later described.

The Contact member, generally indicated by numeral 26, comprises in this instance a hollow resilient element having the general cross-section of a figure eight, with one of the loops of the eight larger than the other. The element is preferably made of rubber or some equivalent material. As the contact member is mounted upon or associated with the disk l1 in the present instance, the smaller loop 25 is disposed in the groove 23 adjacent the edge of the disk. This leaves the larger loop 26 in exposed position for contact with a portion of the wheel. As the structure is seen in Figure l, the large loop 26 contacts the rim 5 between the base flange 6 and intermediate flange l. Since the contact member is hollow, it may be deformed to some extent when pressed between the disk and the wheel. However, the resilient character of the element effectively eliminates any rattle, vibration or similar noises between the disk and wheel.

Within the smaller loop 25 of the cushion member, a resilient spring wire 21 or equivalent element is inserted. As seen best in Figure 4, this spring Wire preferably projects slightly beyond the ends of the loop or tube 25. The spring Wire 2l is of such character as to urge the cushion member into expanded position at all times. while retaining its general circular shape. In other words, the cushion member as a whole is of a character tending by its inherent resiliency to expand and maintain a relatively large space between the ends of the ring. It may be in the form of a split ring or preformed adjacent the ends thereof to eliminate the likelihood of an end portion extending substantially straight when in position rather than follow the curvature of the groove.

Now, with reference again to the disk Il itself, it Will be seen that this disc is provided with an indentation or notch 23 leading inwardly from the edge thereof to provide accommodation for the projection of the usual valve stem associated With a vehicle tire. Immediately adjacent the notch 28, and on each side thereof, the rolled or underturned portion 22 of the disk il is formed inwardly against the inner face of the bead 2| as indicated at 29 to provide an end termination of the groove 23. Both edges of the bead 2| and portion 29 adjacent the notch 23 are turned inwardly as at 30 to present a smooth, pleasing -appearance from the outside of the disk.

The contact member 24 may be associated or mounted upon a disk il by a very simple and economical method. The method of forming the disk and the contact memb-er is believed to be sufliciently apparent from the foregoing description. After each of these parts has been formed, it is a simple expedient to place an end of the contact member in the groove 23 with the projecting tip of the spring wire 2l' abutting the inturned wall 29, as seen in Figure 4. The part 26 of the contact member is exposed and provides a ready hold for the hand or a suitable implement to retain the respective ends of the contact member within the groove. Then, holding the one end of the member in the groove, the member can be worked into the groove around the disk, and the other end of the member snapped into position with the opposite end of the wire 2l adjacent the portion 29 on the opposite side of the notch 28. The inherent resiliency of the contact member, this member tending to expand as above stated, maintains the contact member firmly seated in the groove and in positive connection with the ornamental disk. The operation of placing the contact member in the groove 33 is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 2 by dotted lines, wherein it is apparent how the member may be worked into the groove around the disk.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a novel combination ornamental disk and contact member construction, in which all of the parts are simple in construction, efcient in operation and economical to manufacture. It will also be apparent that I have provided a new and novel method of joining the ornamental disk with the contact member, which method results in a distinct saving in time and labor.

It will also be apparent that the disk I7 may be provided with a separate decorative circumferential bead secured to the disk, in the manner shown in my aforesaid co-pending application, for example, in lieu of the integral bead 2|. Such separate bead Would otherwise have a similar construction to that illustrated herein.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a Wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than is necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, an ornamental Wheel disk 75 structure having a generally circular groove therein, and a resilient split ring contact member having spaced ends expanded in said groove.

2. In combination, an ornamental Wheel disk structure having a generally circular groove therein with spaced end terminations, and a resilient split ring contact member seated in said groove, said member being retained in said groove solely by its inherent tendency to expand.

3. In combination, an ornamental Wheel disk structure shaped to provide a groove adjacent a margin thereof, and a resilient split ring contact member including a plurality of longitudinally joined annular portions seated in said groove, one annular portion of said member being retained in said groove by the inherent tendency of said member to expand, and another annular portion of said member extending Without said groove for contact with that to which said disk may be attached.

4. In combination, an ornamental disk structure for attachment over the side surface of a vehicle Wheel, said disk having a notch therein to accommodate a tire valve stem, said disk having the outer margin thereof rolled to form an inside groove terminating adjacent each side of said notch, and a resilient split ring contact member expanded into said groove With an end thereof adjacent each termination of said groove.

5. In combination, an ornamental structure for attachment to a vehicle Wheel and having an elongated groove-like formation therein With closed ends, and a resilient contact member sprung into said formation and held therein solely by its inherent tendency to expand with the ends of the member in association With the closed ends of the groove.

6. As an article of manufacture, a split ring contact member of resilient material and comprising a pair of joined tubes, and a spring element in one of said tubes, the entire contact member having an inherent resiliency tending to- Wards expansion of the member and the maintenance of a space between the ends of the member.

7. In combination, an ornamental disk structure for disposition over the side surface of a vehicle Wheel, said disk structure having a notch therein, a margin of said disk structure being rolled inwardly to provide a groove, said margin being bent to terminate said groove adjacent each side of said notch, and a contact member in said groove.

8. In combination, an ornamental disk structure for disposition over the side surface of a vehicle wheel, said disk structure having a notch therein, a margin of said disk structure being rolled inwardly to provide a groove, said margin being bent to terminate said groove adjacent each side of said notch, the associated edges of both said margin and said notch being turned inwardly to provide a smooth exterior, and a Contact member in said groove.

9. In combination, an ornamental disk structure for disposition over the side surface of a vehicle wheel, said disk structure being of relatively thin sheet material and having a margin rolled inwardly to provide a groove, said margin being formed into intimate association with an outer portion of said disk structure to provide spaced end terminations for said groove, and a resilient split ring contact member positioned in said groove with an end of said member in' engagement With each termination of said groove.

10. In combination, an ornamental disk structure having a generally circular groove therein, and a resilient split ring contact member having spaced ends, said member being sprung into said groove and having a formation comprising a part to seat Within said groove and a part to extend Without said groove for contact With that to which said disk is applied.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON. 

